A COURT heard a teenager describe how she was allegedly approached by a councillor and offered money for sex.

The 12-year-old's video recorded interviews with police were played to a jury at Durham Crown Court on the second day of the trial of independent Easington district councillor Harry Devine.

He is accused of indecently assaulting the girl, and is also undergoing a re-trial for a previous similar allegation, involving an 11-year-old girl.

The court heard the 12-year-old tell a policewoman how Mr Devine came and sat next to her on a bench at the spa and boating lake in Bridlington, on the Yorkshire coast.

She said the man told her she looked nice and he liked her body.

She said he then took her to a shop to buy her cigarettes and threatened to rape her if she refused to go.

The girl said Mr Devine then led her to a promenade and sat next to her, stroking her leg and kissing her twice on the cheek.

The girl told police: "He said, 'I'll pay you £10 if you come to my hotel and have sex with me'."

She refused and sought refuge with friends, who were nearby.

The court was previously told that Mr Devine was chased for nearly a mile by the youngsters and cornered in the garden of retired police officer Tony Hall.

Giving evidence, Mr Hall said he saw a figure in his garden and went out and grabbed Mr Devine by the lapels.

Mr Devine told Mr Hall he was being chased by rival football fans, but then the youngsters appeared.

One of them told Mr Hall: "He's just raped my sister, mister" and urged him to hit Mr Devine.

Mr Devine broke free and ran into the house, but was caught by Mr Hall, who asked his wife to ring police.

Officers arrested Mr Devine, initially on suspicion of burglary.

Mr Devine, 54, of Salters Lane, Wingate, east Durham, denies both indecent assault charges. The trial continues.